Washing machine engineer's 78p hack for cleaning is 'better than white vinegar'

30 November 2023 , 11:03

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Cleaning your washing machine is important (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

We rely on washing machines to clean our clothes for us - but the appliance itself needs some TLC too.

Washing machines are one of the most-used gadgets in our homes, and as such there can be a build-up of nasty grime over time. The residue is often left over from dirty laundry, and if left long enough it can turn into mould, which can in turn wreak havoc on your health.

The bacteria and dirt that accumulates can also affect the effectiveness of the washing machine, leading to badly washed or damp-smelling clothes. Some places recommend cleaning washing machines every three to six months, but it can be quite costly if you were to buy designated washing machine cleaners, which also tend to be full of chemicals. Instead, you can try a natural alternative which is also kind to the wallet.

When talking about natural alternatives to cleaning washing machines, many tend to think of white vinegar, which tends to be a major key in many home cleaning hacks. From getting rid of yellow stains on pillow cases to removing limescale from shower heads, it seems to a bit of a miracle product.

But according to a washing machine engineer, there's an even "better" option, which is equally cheap to pick up from the supermarket. Taking to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, where people who are fans of cleaning sensation Sophie Hinchliffe share their own hacks, one person wrote: "I've been having problems cleaning my washing machine and my engineer told me to use soda crystals. He said that this stuff cleans the entire appliance better than white vinegar and dishwasher tablets. You just have to add 500g of soda crystals to the drum and put it on the hottest wash and that'll do the trick."

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You can add the soda crystals to your detergent drawer, or directly in the drum, and put it on a hot (60C or above), empty wash. If your appliance has a maintenance wash or service wash function, you could use this instead.

Concentrated soda crystals are a multi-purpose cleaning agent, and the combination of hot water and alkaline crystals make it perfect at killing bacteria and removing grime. You can pick up a 1kg bag from CleaningProducts for just £1.55, working out at about 78p per use.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz